How to Save Money Grocery Shopping
In today’s climate, saving money is as important as ever when visiting a grocery store. Below, are 12 tips from Maven Carol that everyone can start to take advantage of on your next trip to the store in order to keep a few more dollars in your pocket!
- Read the ads – Stores usually have some items in the ad that are reduced in price, known as loss leaders, but remember: not everything in the ad is on sale. If you can read the ad at home, either online or in print, even better. You can compare it with your list and what you already have on hand.
- Check the end caps – Sometimes the items are on sale, but other times they are simply promotional displays. Don’t be fooled.
- Use store loyalty cards (as long as they are free) – These cards may give you free items, reduced prices, or discounts on gas. Each store has its own rewards program.
- Don’t be afraid to try a store brand or a different brand. Often there is no difference, but start with just one item in case you notice a difference and prefer the other brand.
- Read the sales tags in the store. At some stores, buying two items can be cheaper than buying one, or buying four can cost less than buying two. Quantity discounts most commonly apply to soda, but some stores offer them on other items as well. These deals are usually advertised in the weekly ad, but they can easily be overlooked.
- Compare the per unit prices. Are two smaller packages a better deal than one large package?
- Know the regular prices of items you buy often. For example, if your kids only eat Honey Nut Cheerios and you buy a box twice a month, would you recognize a real discount and be able to take advantage of it if it was not on your list that day? You cannot know every price, but you can probably keep track of five to ten items you purchase regularly.
- Know which items keep well. Remember, dates on items do not all mean the same thing. “Sell by” does not mean “eat by.” Items with long shelf lives, and dates well into the future, are good to stock up on if you find a real sale.
- Don’t overbuy just because something is on sale. Food that is thrown out is money thrown out. If you cannot use all of a larger item before it goes bad, and it cannot be frozen, stick with the smaller one, even if the unit cost is higher.
- In stores with a bakery, ask for smaller quantities. The bakery usually packages items such as rolls and donuts in quantities of six. You can hand the staff member a bag of six and ask for only two items. This way, you get fresh-baked goods, they do not go stale or moldy, and you do not waste food.
- Don’t forget to check grocery prices in non-grocery stores. If you are in your local drugstore, look at its grocery ads. A food item may be on sale for less than at the grocery store. This does not mean making special trips, but take advantage when you can.
- Check other grocery store ads. This does not mean driving all over town to save 50 cents on one item, but you may already be in that shopping area, or another store may make more sense for your needs that week. Also, some stores will match sales, if you mention it!
